TNAG-0926-FCO40-1144-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 5

CONFIDENTIAL

Mes GREGORY. (Please note Classificatio

ANGUILLA

BELIZE

BERMUDA

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

CAYMAN ISLANDS

NOTES ON DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

Present Constitution and Prospects for Independence

Ministerial constitution introduced after elections in March 1976. Island will continue formally to be part of the Associated State of St Kitts-Nevis- Arguilla until St Kitts-Nevis achieves independence.

Advanced Ministerial Constitution. Only obstacle to independence lies in the territorial claim of Guatemala. Further attempts are being made to resolve the claim by regotiations but no date can yet be postulated for independence.

There have been no formal constitutional changes since the 1973 amendments to the 1968 Constitution and no further advance short of independence is possible. However this is now being seriously considered by the governing United 3-rmuda Party and the issue may be put to referendum.

NO

New Constitution to come into force in 1977. local pressures for inder endence but a desire to proceed to internal self-government and remeir at that stage indefinitely.

"Member"-type constitution. No obstacle to self- government except the apparent wishes of the people to retain their links with the UK. While the recent election campaign was fought inter alia on the maintenance of the constitutional status quo it is however thought that the ambitious of the new political leaders may provide ore fruitful ground for constitutional advance.

4/3.

Considerations affecting Aid

Policy

Grant-aided.

Unlikely to

become economically viable.

Not grant-aided. viable economy.

Potentially

Economically viable: receives no aid and no aid policy questions arise.

Grant-aided. Should become economically viable within

the next decade.

Not grant-aided. High GP. Near economic viability. Independence possible if people so wish, but dependent status gives confidence to investors and financiers.

CONFIDENT

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